Clutch for feeding metal rods or bars.



L. H. BRIGHTMAN. CLUTCH FOB METAL RODS 0B BARS.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

I APPLIOATIOH mm) MAY 29, 1907.

i-ATHAM n. BRIGHTMAN, or SHELBY, OHIO.

CLUTCH FOR FEEDING METAL RODS 0R BARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

Application filed May 29,1967. Serial No. 376,295.

which I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail, one mechanical form embodying the invention; such detail construction being but one of various which the feed-clutch used.

mechanical forms in which the the invention may be used.

, In said annexed drawings Figure I repre sents an axial section of my improved feedclutch; Fig. II, an end view of the same Fig. 111, a transverse section on the line I-III1l in Fi I, and Fig. IV, a top view of a pair of clutch-rollers and the shank supporting the same.

In feed clutches for intermittent feeding forward bar or rod stock, such as in automatic turning and boring machines orsocalled automatic screw-machines and kindred machines, it is of importance that the stock be positively and firmly grasped by the principle of clutch and, at the same time, it is of importance that such firm grasp shall not dent or otherwise mar the surface of the stock. While serrated or otherwise sharpened jaws will aiiord a firm hold upon the stock, such serrations or rough or sharp projections upon the 'aws will mark and mar the surface of the stor, and it is for the purpose of avoiding such marking and marring that I have devised the clutch'which constitutes my present invention and provided the same with rolling jaws which will not mar the stock and will at the same time clamp the stock tightly andincreasc its hold as the stock is fed forward by the reciprocating feed-clutch.

The feed-clutch has a sleeve, 1, which is connected to or provided with means for longitudinally-recipi'ocating it in its relation to the machine into which it feeds the stock, and which means do not need illustration as they form no part of the present invention and may be of varying character itCCOIdil'l" to the,

character oi the machine in connc u With The an axial bore, .12, throughout its entir of a diameter slightly exceeding the diameter of the largest bar which the clutch is intended to feed. Two diametrically-opposite, outwardly-diverging inclined grooves, 3, extend from near the middle of the axial bore of the sleeve to the forward end of the same, and have wear-plates, 4, secured in their bottoms. An annular guide-disk, 5, is secured at the rear end of the sleeve and has a central opening, 6, which corresponds in shape and size to the cross-section of the bar to be fed through, so as to guide such bar and support the same axially-alined through the clutch. A guide-disk, 7, is secured over the forward end of the sleeve and has a central opening, 8, similar to the opening in the rear disk and corresponding in shape and size to the crosssection of the bar so asto guide the latter in conjunction with the rear guidcdisk. The outer edges of the central openings of the two disks are referably beveled. Openings, 9, are forme through the front disk to register with the ends of the inclined grooves, and guide-brackets or stirrups, 10, are secured over the outer ends of such openings and have openings, 11, in their middles which register with the openings in the disk.

A air of rollers, 12, are supported to trave in the inclined grooves and are journaled upon/pins, 13, passing through an eye, 14, between the rollers of each air, and having shanks, 15, which slide in t 1e openings in the disk and stirrups and have springs, 16, coiled around them and bearing against the stirrups and shoulders, 17, upon the shanks, so that said springs serve to force the rollers inward and up the inclines of the grooves, being the'roby forced inward, into the bore of the clutch-sleeve and against the Bar within the same, thereby clamping such bar.

The clutch is adjusted for (.liiiercnt shapes and sizesof bars by securing guide-disks at the ends of the sleeve having central openings of the cross-sectional sha )e and size of the bar to be fed. When the lnu' is of coinparatively small diameter, rollers of corrc spondingly greater diameter are employed, and the openings in the front-disk are corn-c spondingly arranged in their relation to the central opiming ol the disk.

In practice, on: bar is inserted through the opening in the roar disk and is pushed through theslecve and through the opening in the front-disk. As the rollers move freely towards the forward end of the sleeve when p the bar is pushed forward or the sleeve is moved rearward, traveling outward upon the inclined bottoms of the grooves, there is no clamping or clutching of the bar during such relative movement. As soon, however, as this movement of. carrying the rollers forward ceases, the springs upon the shanks of the rollers force the latter inward to ride upon the inclined bottoms of the grooves and to be thus forced towards the axis of the clutch and against the bar so as to clamp the same. Forward movement of the sleeve or rearward movement of the bar will draw the rollers further inward into the inclined grooves and will cause such rollers to there by increase their hold upon the bar. It is thus evident that the greater the resistance to the forward feed of the bar, the greater the hold will be of the clutch-rollers upon the bar. The rollers will permit free rearward movement of the clutchto again take hold of the bar and feed the same forward on its forward stroke, and the rollers will also firmly hold the bar without'marring tl're-srirface of the same.

-0ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed for the mode herein explalned. Change may therefore be made as regards the mechanism thus dis-- closed, provided the principles of construc tion set forth respectively in the following claims are employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invent1on:-

1. In. a feed clutch, the combination of a clutch-sleeve formed with outwardly-diverging inclined grooves in its bore, rollerssu ported to travel in such rooves, longitu inally-movable individua su ports u on which the rollers are separate y journa ed,

ees,4s1

guides for said supports, and springs, each earing against a su port toforce'the latter and the roller towar s the shallow end of its groove.

2. In a feed-clutch, the combination of a clutch-sleeve formed with longitudinal outwardly-diverging inclined rooves in its bore, a disk secured to the en with inclined grooves 3 having wear-plates 4,

of thefsleeve to cover the wide ends of the grooves and a guide-disk 5 secured at the rear end of the sleeve and formed with a central opening 6, a guide-disk? secured to the front end of the sleeve andformed with a central guide-opening 8' and with o eni'ngs 9 registering with the outer ends of t e inclined grooves, guide-1- stirrups 10 secured over the outer ends of the openings 9, shanks 15 guided in the openings of the disk and stirrups, springs. 16 upon said shanks and bearing against the same and the stirrups, and rollers 12journaled upon pins 13 sup orted in the shanks and traveling in' the inc ined grooves.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing to be my invention I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of January A. D. 1906.

LATHAM H. BRIGHTMAN.

YVitnesses: L

M. 'A. CALHOUN, M. CLINE. 

